Apparatus for monitoring test results for components obstructed from view

Abstract

Devices and methods for monitoring test results for testing components that are obstructed from the tester's view are provided. One such device is a video apparatus for monitoring a vehicle component undergoing testing comprising a plurality of video cameras; a light source coupled to each of the video cameras and configured to direct light in a direction that a lens of the video camera is directed; a power source electrically coupled to the plurality of video cameras and the light sources; and a controller. The controller is configured to receive video signals from each of the plurality of video cameras and control a display to simultaneously display each of the video signals.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A video apparatus for monitoring a vehicle component undergoing testing comprising:
 a plurality of video cameras, each video camera including a lens and a coupled light source, the light source configured to direct light in a direction that the lens of the video camera is directed; 
 a power source electrically coupled to the plurality of video cameras; and 
 a controller configured to: 
 receive video signals from each of the plurality of video cameras; and 
 control a display to simultaneously display each of the video signals. 
 
     
     
       2. The video apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of video cameras is connected to the power source by a respective electrical conduit of a length to allow for individual placement of each of the plurality of video cameras. 
     
     
       3. The video apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a first portion of the plurality of video cameras is configured to video a first component and a second portion of the plurality of video cameras is configured to video a second component, the first portion and second portion providing video signals simultaneously. 
     
     
       4. The video apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein both the first portion and the second portion of the plurality of video cameras and respective light sources are configured to be positioned in a cavity between a vehicle body panel and a cowl cover. 
     
     
       5. The video apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of video cameras and respective light sources are sized for placement in a cavity within a vehicle defined by at least one body panel of the vehicle. 
     
     
       6. The video apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the display and power source are a computer. 
     
     
       7. The video apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein each of the respective electrical conduits integrally includes wiring for one of the plurality of video cameras and a respective light source. 
     
     
       8. The video apparatus of  claim 1  comprising a plurality of modules, each module comprising one of the plurality of video cameras, its respective light source, electrical conduit, and a plug configured for connection to the power source. 
     
     
       9. The video apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of video cameras comprises a magnetic attachment structure configured to removably mount the video camera to a support. 
     
     
       10. The video apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each light source comprises a plurality of lamps positioned on at least two sides of the camera lens of the respective video camera. 
     
     
       11. The video apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a water presence detector configured to be positioned on the vehicle component and videoed by at least one of the plurality of video cameras. 
 
     
     
       12. The video apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the water presence detector is a powder. 
     
     
       13. A cowl water intrusion test monitoring apparatus comprising:
 a first video camera removably mounted to a body panel defining a vehicle cavity and oriented such that a lens of the first video camera is pointed toward a first component in a first direction; 
 a second video camera removably mounted to the body panel within the vehicle cavity and oriented such that a lens of the second video camera is pointed toward the first component in a second direction that is different than the first direction; 
 a third video camera removably mounted to the body panel within the cavity and oriented such that a lens of the third camera is pointed toward a second component in a third direction; 
 a fourth video camera removably mounted to the body panel within the vehicle cavity and oriented such that a lens of the fourth camera is pointed toward the second component in a fourth direction that is different than the third direction; 
 wherein each of the video cameras include a light source coupled to the respective video camera and oriented in a same direction as the lens of the respective video camera; 
 a power source electrically coupled to each of the video cameras and light sources; and 
 a controller configured to:
 receive video signals from the first, second, third and fourth video cameras; and 
 simultaneously display each of the video signals. 
 
 
     
     
       14. A method of monitoring cowl water intrusion comprising:
 removably mounting a first video camera to a body panel within a cavity defined by the body panel and a cowl cover such that a lens of the first camera is pointed toward a first wiper pivot in a first direction; 
 removably mounting a second video camera to the body panel within the cavity such that a lens of the second camera is pointed toward the first wiper pivot in a second direction that is different than the first direction; 
 removably mounting a third video camera to the body panel within the cavity such that a lens of the third camera is pointed toward a second wiper pivot in a third direction; 
 removably mounting a fourth video camera to the body panel within the cavity such that a lens of the fourth camera is pointed toward the second wiper pivot in a fourth direction that is different than the third direction; 
 orienting a plurality of light sources, each light source coupled to a respective video camera, in a same direction as the lens of the respective video camera is directed; 
 providing power from a single power source electrically coupled to each of the video cameras and respective light sources; 
 enclosing the cavity with the cowl cover; 
 running a cowl water intrusion test; 
 receiving video signals from the first, second, third and fourth video cameras during the cowl water intrusion test; and 
 simultaneously displaying each of the video signals on a display. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of video cameras and respective light sources have an integral electrical conduit and a plug configured to be connected and disconnected to the single power source. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of video cameras has an associated magnetic attachment structure for removably mounting the respective video camera. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 14 , wherein each of the light sources comprise a plurality of lamps positioned on at least two sides of a camera lens of the respective video camera. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 14  further comprising:
 placing a water presence detector on and around the first wiper pivot and the second wiper pivot prior to enclosing the cavity such that the plurality of video cameras video the water presence detector. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the water presence detector is a powder.